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The latest plan by health regulators would also loosen restrictions on who could own medical marijuana dispensing organizations.

Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida

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The proposed rule may also mean that dispensing organizations can transport their product statewide.

Giving dispensers the ability to distribute statewide as the law permits is critical, said Ron Watson, a lobbyist who is consulting for a group of former pharmaceutical executives who want one of the five licenses.

"A regional distribution system has no checks and balances and will punish the patient through cost and availability. A patient should be able to choose the best medicine regardless of where it is grown," said Watson, who also represents the Florida Medical Cannabis Association.

The proposed rule also would restrict dispensaries from opening near schools, day-care centers, churches and public parks, which Rotundo said is too far-reaching.

"Why should they not be allowed to open as if they were any other drug store in the jurisdiction? They're dispensing a medicine and certainly a medicine much less dangerous than every pharmacy carries. I'm not following the logic of this," said Rotundo, who also represents several municipalities.

The latest version of the rule also restricts nurseries to applying in only one region, meaning that at least five nurseries would be able to participate in the industry. Growers are forging partnerships in some areas of the state.

And the proposed rule also addressed some concerns that potential owners expressed earlier this month regarding a lack of clarity about a $5 million performance bond required by the law. Under the draft rule, a condition of the bond would be that the money would be used to destroy all of a dispensing organization's pot if the dispensary loses its license or chooses not to renew it. The condition of the bond may help potential businesses secure funding from investors or even banks.

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